Liverpool are set to meet Barcelona at Camp Nou on Wednesday in their first leg of Champions League semi-final.
Barcelona qualified after disciplining Manchester United home and away with an aggregate of 4-0, a match which Messi played a very big role.
However, the Argentinian suffered a blow during their visit at Old Trafford after he was elbowed by Chris Smalling to a point of bleeding on the pitch.
And now forget about Smalling, against Liverpool, Leo is set to meet another giant, Van Djik, who has already spoken about tackling him.
Van Dijk’s imperious form, and the way he has marshalled Liverpool’s defence this season to concede just 20 goals in 36 Premier League matches, should help in combating the threat of Messi.
However, the Dutchman knows that is easier said than done.
“Yeah, I think he is the best player in the world, I have said that before,” he said.
“But you see how we play, how we defend, we don’t defend one v one, we defend all together and we attack all together as well – so we will see. We will be ready.
“The situation is that we are in the semi-final against Barcelona and we are going to face one of the best players…I think the best player in the world.
“But it is not only him, but the whole team also has a lot of quality and we will prepare well and that is what we are going to do.
“We have also a very good team so we can compete there as well so it is not like we are going there for a holiday or something.”